[Extract]
[Frigate Boston, Marblehead]
1778
Feb. 16. Monday.

Another Storm for our Mortification—the Wind at N.E. and the Snow So thick that the Captain¹ thinks he cannot go to Sea. Our Excursion to this Place, was unfortunate, because it is almost impossible, to keep the Men on Board—Mothers, Wives, Sisters come on bord, and beg for Leave for their Sons, Husbands, and Brothers to go on Shore for one Hour &c So that it is hard for their Commander to resist their Importunity.

I am anxious at these Delays. We shall never have another Wind So good as We have lost.—Congress, and the Navy Board, will be Surprized at these Delays, and yet there is no Fault, that I know of.—the Commander of the Ship is active and vigilant, and does all in his Power, but he wants Men—he has very few Seamen indeed.—All is as yet Chaos on board—His Men are not disciplined.—The Marrines are not. The Men are not exercised to the Guns.—They hardly know the Ropes.. . .